Kohima: The Gauhati High Court, Kohima Bench, ordered the contractor and the Executive Engineer of the Nagaland PWD for National Highways to appear in court personally. This follows a Wednesday hearing regarding the long-delayed NH-29 Dimapur-Kohima four-lane project. Judges orally ordered crews to finish repairs on Packages I and II within three weeks. Monsoon weather is no excuse for failing to fill potholes, the court noted.
Amicus Curiae Taka Masa reported that physical progress between the Jotsoma bypass and Lerie Welcome Gate sits at zero percent. Masa noted this was his 77th appearance in the case, which originated from a 2019 suo motu PIL. NHIDCL counsel claimed a contractor is active on Package I, while they intend to hire a new firm for Package II because it remains under a defect liability period. Regarding Package III, contractors claimed 90 percent completion, despite earlier projections targeting an August finish.
Separately, the court demanded a status report from the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited regarding the Kohima-Jessami two-lane road. The Chakhesang Public Organization filed this PIL to ensure timely construction of a route connecting Phek, Meluri, and Kiphire to Kohima, Manipur, and Myanmar. Despite an initial March 2020 sanction, the project has stalled repeatedly.
NHIDCL terminated the original contractor and issued a fresh tender in May 2023, awarding a new contract that October. Records show another termination occurred in August 2024 after progress stalled at 0.39 percent. Petitioners claim less than half the project is finished, even as the September 24, 2026, deadline looms. CPO previously identified Ratna Infrastructure Projects Pvt Ltd as the EPC contractor for Package II. The court listed both matters for further hearing on September 9.
Comments